Founded
in September 1, 1772 by Junipero Serra. Named for Saint Louis of Anjou
Bishop of Toulouse, France. This was the first of the California Missions
to be covered with native red tile roofing which was made by the Indians.
San Luis Obispo was nick named "Valley of the Bears" because
of the numerous bears in the region. After running out of provisions
the Spaniards discovered that bear meat was an excellent meal choice.
Spanish Soldiers slaughtered many hundreds of bears, made jerky of the
meat and supplied two other Missions with the meat. This Mission was
restored in 1934.